Sudbury mining accident kills Vale worker

A worker at Vale’s Sudbury operation is dead and another is seriously injured after an April 6 mining accident.

A worker at Vale’s Sudbury operation is dead and another is seriously injured after an April 6 mining accident.

Greater Sudbury Police and the Ministry of Labour are investigating an incident that occurred Sunday evening at 6:30 at Vale’s casting and crushing plant at the Copper Cliff smelter.

A 36-year-old man died of injuries at the scene and a 28-year-old man suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital where he was reported to be stable.

In an April 7 news release, the company did not release the identities of the workers or the accident details except to say the deceased employee was found unconscious and without vital signs.

“We are saddened beyond words by the loss of this employee,” said Kelly Strong, vice-president of Vale’s Ontario and UK Operations. “We extend our deepest condolences to the employee’s family, co-workers and friends. We are focusing our efforts on trying to understand exactly what happened, and on supporting the family and our employees as best we can.”